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From
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk 17 Dec 2010 by Michael Purton.
PROTESTERS have wiped the smile off Ronald McDonald’s face after
successfully opposing plans to turn a pub into a fast food restaurant.
Hundreds of St Paul’s Cray residents had fought plans to turn The
"Broomwood" in Sevenoaks Way into a McDonald's drive-thru, and Bromley
Council has backed them by rejecting the application.
Andrew Wilson, who lives in Sevenoaks Way and spearheaded the
protesters’ campaign, says the decision is a “victory for people power
against an international giant”.
Protesters said increased traffic would make the junction of Sevenoaks
Way and Broomwood Road more dangerous, and the restaurants 6am to
midnight opening hours would disturb people living nearby.
They also feared it would take business away from smaller shops already
in the area, forcing them to close down, and worried it would attract
large numbers of youths to the area.
Mr Wilson, a 45-year-old father-of-two, said: “More than 400 people
signed our petition, and our knuckles are raw from knocking on doors and
pushing leaflets through letterboxes.”
The salesman added: “We have shown that community spirit can overcome
the might of huge companies. This is a victory for democracy.”
St Paul’s Cray residents have formed their own residents association,
named Little Chislewick, and Mr Wilson says they are ready to fight
McDonald’s again if another application is submitted.
Mr Wilson added: “I’m a big user of McDonald’s and I’m not an
anti-McDonald’s basher, we just don’t want them here because it is not
the right place.
“There have been 17 car accidents at the junction of Sevenoaks Way and
Broomwood Road in the last five years, according to a council report.”
Orpington MP Jo Johnson, Bromley and Chislehurst MP Bob Neill and nearby
schools had also joined the campaign against the application.
Last night, a council committee rejected the application, which was
submitted by the owners of the pub, Bramwood Taverns, who had agreed to
sell it to McDonald’s if the plans were accepted.
Committee vice-chairman Councillor John Ince explained the decision,
saying: “There were concerns over potential traffic conflicts and
congestion at an already dangerous junction, and the entrance and exit
to the drive-thru.
“There were also concerns over the detrimental impact on many of the
local residents, in terms of increased traffic, potential for overall
parking, noise disturbances, and the excessive opening hours.
“Also, there were concerns over a potential detrimental impact on the
continuing viability of the shops in Cotmandene Crescent, where there
are already six takeaway restaurants.”
A McDonald’s spokesman said: "The planning process is all about giving
local residents and applicants the chance to have their say, and we
understand concerns were raised about our application.
“We continue to believe we would be a very responsible neighbour, and
are disappointed our thorough assessment of traffic and highway issues
was not felt to be sufficient."
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